Excercising Compassion

`Open Your Hearts' Fitness Jam Raises Money For Hurricane Victims.

Debbie Wolff was devastated as she watched Hurricane Katrina ruin the lives of millions of her countrymen.

And she had to do something.

Wolff, who owns Fusion Fitness in Coral Springs, decided to hold an "Open Your Hearts" fitness jam, a benefit for hurricane relief on Sunday at the Quadrangle Athletic Club in Coral Springs.

"Immediately after Katrina I wanted to do something and I didn't think I was capable of giving all the money I needed. I wished I could do something that was different and that people were interested in," Wolff said. She decided on "an aerobic marathon, so I started making some phone calls and talking to instructors that were energetic and fun and who would give a lot of enthusiasm to a program like this."

Wolff, a member of Temple Beth Am in Margate, joined hands with that synagogue's tzedakah, or charity, and created the three-hour benefit that featured kickboxing, hi-low hip-hop and dance, Latin Zumba dance and a yoga cool-down.

Participants were asked for a minimum contribution of $20 at the door. The event, Wolff said, brought in more than $1,500 that will be donated to various charities serving Katrina and Rita victims.

Debbie Oistacher, chairwoman of the committee handling charity relief at the temple, said she is proud to have Wolff as a member of the synagogue.

"When I had put the call out to the general congregation of people who wanted to step up to the plate, Debbie Wolff was one of those individuals who came forward," Oistacher said. "It was really Debbie's brainchild and I felt very, very blessed that she was a member of our social action committee."

Temple Beth Am has been able to collect 24 boxes of food for its food bank because "our own food bank has been depleted because we kept sending food to the Gulf," she said. The synagogue also has collected $1,000 for gift certificates to Target and Wal-Mart to be distributed to people in Katrina-stricken areas "who are trying to piece their life together. Rather than give them a blender or a hand-me-down, this will give them a sense of dignity," Oistacher said.

"I think one of the most important things is to help others," said Cary Zinkin, 45, of Coral Springs.

Zinkin said tzedakah is an integral part of Judaism.

"It is one of the highest honors and commandments you can follow; to help people who are less fortunate."

Like Wolff, Zinkin is concerned for the well-being of the hurricane victims in the Gulf.

"It's almost too hard to put into words how any entire city or cities can get wiped out from something outside of our control," he said.

Dolores Block of Boca Raton said she came to the event because she, like Wolff and Zinkin, just had to do something to help. Even though the devastation of the region is shocking, Block said it may have come for a reason.

"I think Mother Nature and God have a way of making us realize that it's not about us and material things," she said. "It is about a lot more."